Ipswich Town weighing up whether to take Bongani Khumalo on loan

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy is deciding whether to take South Africa captain Bongani Khumalo on loan from Tottenham, while he’s also confirmed his interest in Scotland international Christophe Berra.

Khumalo – who has 26 caps for South Africa and cost Tottenham £1.7m shortly after the 2010 World Cup – played in the first half of Town’s 2-1 win at Crawley Town.

Speaking of the 26-year-old, who has been training with the Blues since Monday, McCarthy said: “I was pleased with Borgani. I thought he did alright. He’s very quick and athletic. I thought he did okay. I’m pleased with him.

“We’re not looking to buy or sign him, we’re looking at a possible loan deal.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss said he would like to sign Berra – released by Wolves this summer – and that he was pleased with trialists Dean Gerken and Dan Seaborne. Deals for all three are far from done though.

“He’s a free transfer and a really good defender,” said McCarthy, when asked about Berra. “If I could sign him I’d be delighted, but it depends on whether we can afford to sign him because he’ll have other offers.

“I like him – I signed him for heaven’s sake! I paid three million quid for him and he helped get us promoted and keep us up for two seasons as well.”

On keeper Gerken and centre-back Seaborne – released by Bristol City and Southampton respectively – McCarthy said: “We’ll see. They might not want to come. That’s always a possibility.

“Both wanted to get themselves fit and to train. They have other interests and I’m looking at other players too. I think they’ve both done alright.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy said he had received no interest in left-back Aaron Cresswell this summer, while a few clubs have made enquiries about transfer-listed striker Michael Chopra.

McCarthy said: “There’s been a slight bit of interest in him, clubs asking if we would loan him out, but nothing concret eas yet. It’s just a few testing the water.”

Cresswell came off in the second half of the 2-1 win at Crawley to have ice applied to his thigh, with McCarthy saying it was only a precautionary measure.

Not sure about the rest of you, but it feels like MM is making much more informededucated decisions than PJ. The noises I'm hearing are much more positive about the abilities and depth and breadth of the squad.

Ex-Ipswich Town homegrown star Titus Bramble is back at the club as a youth team coach. STUART WATSON spoke to him about an emotional trip to Ghana and how he wants the Blues’ current teenagers not to repeat his mistakes.